St. Cornelius Church 5500 Wardlow Rd., Long Beach, CA 90808

(562) 421-8966 www.stcorneliuslb.org

PASTOR’S CORNER 1 1 PASTOR’S CORNER 1

The seventh and last Murphy brother walked from the altar, the eulogy for his mother now complete. All seven brothers had spoken. Yes, seven eulogies. In truth, only one of the seven ignored their self-imposed three-minute limit and each of them, blessed with the gi of Irish humor, held the assembly cap ve as the room filled with laughter and a few tears throughout the 27-minute span. It was a testament to their love for their mother who had raised seven sons, yet a clear viola on of the church’s recommenda on there be only one such “remembrance.” The fact that all seven spoke was not missed by anyone. In the last few years, some mes when planning a funeral and explaining to grief-stricken family members that there would be only one eulogy, we (predictably) have been told, “But all seven of the Murphy boys spoke.” Well, yes, they did. We have worked hard through the years to be consistent in pastoral decisions, but we blew this one. There were reasons, but it was a weak mo-ment, suffice to say. I was thinking about funerals and eulogies the other day as I read Fr. Paul Turner’s recent publica on, Light in the Darkness: Preparing Be er Catholic Funerals (Liturgical Press). It is a great read that provides wisdom for the pastoral challenges that funerals present in the 21st century. In addi-

on, the “Toolbox” at the book’s con-clusion provides a printable handout for wri ng a eulogy. It is too late for the Murphy brothers, God love them, but I intend to print thousands of those handouts for our parish bulle-

ns.

Every pastoral and ordained church minister can tell a story or two about eulogies that have taxed the pa ence and generosity of those who have come to honor the de-ceased and support the grieving family. We all know we are in trouble when the chronologically organized eulogy begins with the birth of the deceased and 15 minutes into it we are only beginning to hear the events of the college years. Or, when the deceased’s high school athle c abili es are extolled and extolled as if 50 years had not transpired since gradua on. Or. when a family insists that sever-al people have to speak to do “jus ce to dad.” Less is more is not a concept that endears a church minister to a grieving family. Only to my own siblings could I say, “Do not overes -mate how much people want to hear our stories about mom. They are our family treasures. But, that is precisely it — they are ours.” But, I would be sadly remiss if I did not say that some of the most tender and moving moments at our parish funerals have been found in the elo-quent eulogies of family members. Indeed, they are unforge able mo-ments of grace. And, at mes, some have even overshadowed homilies in their testament to faith. Just so, a few years ago, a brother gave the eulogy for his sister Jane, a sister who was the vic m of a car accident. For 26 years, Jane was im-prisoned in a body that was a shell of her former self. The family never gave up on Jane, and so their grief was s fled for all those years as they fought for and cared for her.

On the day of her funeral the brother fed us all with these words: But today’s true cause is a celebra on of Jane’s rebirth. It’s a day on which our Chris an faith is jus fied and the

promise of the cross is made real. Jane has been gone from us for so long

in so many ways. But today, as never before, she returns to us. Today, in our presence and for all to witness and believe Christ proclaims, “Roll away the stone.

… Jane come forth.” And, as Jane rises, we rush to greet her. We are overcome with joy and

spontaneous tears and laughter. Our sister/daughter was lost and

now she is found. Our sister/ daughter was hurt and now she is healed. Our faith has been tested but today it is vindicated. So, let us celebrate and remember. For

today, she has returned to us through resurrec on.

Such remembrances bear witness to the incredible gi of faith that is planted substan ally within our peo-ple. Such remembrances encourage our faith and inspire us to begin anew to do be er in our own daily lives. Such remembrances are sacramental in their own right as they reveal the face of God in human experience. So, we will con nue to hear eulo-gies. Some mes, we will wish for a li le less or perhaps a li le more. Some mes, we may even be uncom-fortable. But, we will say, “Yes, go for it.” Because without them, we close the door to occasional and genuine instances of grace.

Siempre Adelante, Fr. Mike

Occasional and Genuine Grace

Remembering and bearing witness to the gift of faith

By: Peg Ekerdt

2

MASS INTENTIONS † = Indicates Deceased

Sunday, July 30 8:00 a.m. Fiu Aoga †Sr. Theresa Marie People of St. Cornelius 10:00 a.m. Tana & Esther To Katopau Family †Brian Tempel 12:00 noon †Irene Teresi Chris ne & Parfait Voundi Family Edward Burns & Michele Ghaly 5:00 p.m. Nguyen Family Row & Laverne Haller Family Monday, July 31 8:00 a.m. †Manuel Carlos Eseberre Row LaVerne Haller & Family Fiu Aoga 5:00 p.m. Anna Mogran Fr. Edward Broom Fr. Mike Gleeson Tuesday, August 1 8:00 a.m. Mathies To (Birthday) John & Ann Ikaloych Michelle Ghaly 5:00 p.m. Fr. Larry Darnell Fr. Edward Broom Fiu Aoga Wednesday, August 2 8:00 a.m. Stella Patolo (Birthday) †Helen A. Genkel Row & LaVerne Haller & Family 5:00 p.m. †Kevin Curran Nguyen Family Thursday, August 3 8:00 a.m. †Patricia Magee †Lynn Joyce Gold Buzek 5:00 p.m. †Kevin Curran Teresa Aliago Friday, August 4 8:00 a.m. †Joseph Mallek Jr. & Tina Tauanu’u 5:00 p.m. Patrick Dinh Nguyen †Kevin Curran Saturday, August 5 8:00 a.m. †Elizabeth Nga Nguyen †Joseph & Anna Hoang 5:00 p.m. †Marge Hengehold †Helmut Vanligten Michelle Ghaly Sunday, August 6 8:00 a.m. †John G. Weisenborn Eleanor Costello Katopau Family 10:00 a.m. Hasse Family †Brian Tempel Chris ne & Parfait Voundi & Family 12:00 noon Deacon Joe Hamamoto †Irene Teresi Rina Tuiteleleapaga 5:00 p.m. †Raymond Mendoza †Carmen Armijo †Lio Katopau

LITURGY

WEEKEND MASSES Saturday, August 12 5:00 p.m. TBD Lector Valerie MacRae Sunday, August 13 8:00 a.m. TBD Lector: Joe Theuma 10:00 a.m. TBD Lector: Mary Kriebel 12:00 Noon Fr. George Reynolds Lector Isabella Carbonara 5:00 p.m. Fr. George Reynolds Lector: Karen Boggs

Fr. Mike Gleeson, Pastor Fr. George Reynolds, Associate Pastor

Richard Boucher, Deacon Joe Hamamoto, Deacon

MASS SCHEDULE

Saturday 8:00 a.m.

5:00 p.m. Vigil Mass Sunday

8:00 a.m., 10:00 a.m. 12 noon & 5:00 p.m.

Monday-Thursday

8:00 a.m. & 5:00 p.m. Friday

8:15 a.m. & 5:00 p.m.

Secretary’s E-mail: secretary.stcornelius@gmail.com

St. Cornelius Catholic School

Principal—Nancy Hayes 3333 North Bellflower Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90808 Phone: 562-425-7813 www.stcornelius.net

3

CONNECTING THE DOTS Spirituality book club Our spirituality book group will be reading a new book, Dorothy Day: The World Will be Saved by Beauty: An In mate Portrait of My Grandmother, by Kate Hennessy. We meet the 3rd Thursday, August 17th, at 7:00 at Duffy's, We will discuss the first few chapters. Call Norma for more informa on, 562:429-1094.

FAITH AND FICTION St. Cornelius Book Discussion Group The next mee ng of the book club will be held on Monday, August 21 in the school library. The book we will be discussing is “Last Bus to Wis-dom” by Ivan Doig. We meet on the third Mon-day of every month, except December. In De-cember we will be mee ng on the 2nd Monday at 7:30pm. You are welcome to join us. For more info, call Katy Ellis at 607-1100.

ADULT FAITH & SPIRITUALITY

Adam & Carla Mars Sandee Bradley DJ Barwick Peggy Hasse Dolores Lounsbury Peggy Pen s Walter Bordeaux Erin & Brian Longhofer Ghusn Mhawji Martha Burris Frances Boudreau Lee Hicks Sio Patolo Kasiano Alai Julienne Aoga Patricia Wolfe Samuel McCarthy Sherill S llwell Judy Klenk Jonathan Kolp Frank Novak Richard LaPorte Jean Wells Karen Gingras Alvin York Jack Alva Cooper Chris Leon Greg & Laurie Kelly Diane Reed Patrick Connolly Christopher Cathcart Larry Gaudy Debbie DeSan s Travis Melnick Joseph Lesko Helen Orton Dave Wills Henry Sarnecki Bob Early Jenni Rojas Rochelle Lewis Lavin Alma Gomez Percival Francisco Paxton Thompson Maria Valadez

Allen Ronk Lafoe Rina Tuiteleleapaga Rosa C. Lopez Diaz Salvador Diaz Rosa M. Vivar Anna Salinas Bella Moody William Steele Dennis Meza Javier Roberts Jessica Ortega Erin Miskelly Renee Ganske Roman Romo Rebecca Upton Jesus Palacios Pat Kitching Jim Kline Mulitalo Mikaele Marjorie J. Lehman Alma Gomez Carna Ahmadzai Marta R. De Quiros Fernando J. Rodriguez Ana Maria Menendez Anna Coles Ruben Diaz Hazel Foley Kathy Statlander Sharon Barre Olivia Howard Jan Wynn Carlos Jaramillo Jessica Rigsby Cliff Richard John Cutler Alberto J. Smith AnneMarie Robinson Brigid Stack Fiu Aoga Anita Digregorio Anthony Bonvino Joyce Kelly Nadine Roberts

PRAYERS FOR THE SICK For The Sick Who Have Asked To Be Remembered In Prayer:

3

NEW BIBLE STUDY A new Bible Study, led by Fr. George, meets every Monday. Mee ngs will run from 7:30-9:00 p.m. in the Holy Family Room. This Bible Study is open to all. Further informa on can be obtained from Marc Auber n (562/544-2219 or dauber @usc.edu).

RCIA RCIA is the Rite of Chris an Ini a on for Adults. This ministry welcomes and prepares adults for full par cipa on in the sacramental life of the Church. The program begins in late August and con nues weekly through mid-May with the purpose of ini a on and conver-sion. For informa on or to register and join us on Tuesday evenings call the Ministry Contact Audrey Hamamoto (562) 572-3427 or contact the Rectory (562) 421-8966

4 YOUTH MINISTRY

SAFEGUARD THE CHILDREN Did you know? Adults and children should be familiar with fire ex nguishers Every home should have a fire ex nguisher, and parents and older children should know how to use it in case of emergency. Small fires can escalate quickly, and there is not always

me to wait for the fire department. Parents should familiarize themselves with the ex n-guishers in their homes, and teach children where the ex nguishers are located and how to operate them safely. Use the PASS trick to help kids remember what to do: Pull the pin, Aim at the fire’s base, Squeeze the han-dle, Sweep from side to side. To request a copy of the VIRTUS ar cle “Fire Ex nguisher Tips Everyone Should Know,” email jvienna@la-archdiocese.org or call (213) 637-7227.

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION NEWS The Religious Educa on Office will be closed through August 2, 2017.

Mark your calendar! Religious Educa on forma on classes

Begins in October. Tuesday, October 10, 2017, 7:00 pm

Junior High, grades 6 – 8. Thursday, October 12, 2017, 3:45 pm

Elementary, grades 1 – 5. Sunday, October15, 2017, 10:00 am

Early Childhood, ages 3 – kindergarten. Religious Educa on EARLY registra on begins August 14, 2017. Stop by the office or plan to a end one of the registra on mee ngs listed below. We will welcome returning students as well as NEW students at these mee ngs. Registra on forms for new students will be available online @ stcorneliuslb.org, on August 14, 2017. Early registra on will guarantee “Early Bird” fees*. Register early!

Religious Educa on Registra on Mee ng Dates:

Sunday, August 27, 2017, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon in the large hall

Sunday, September 17, 2017, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon in the large hall

Sunday, October 1, 2017, 9:00 am – 12:00 noon in the large hall

*Early Bird pricing - $65 for the first student, $40 each addi onal student registered before September 15th. Late registra on pricing will be $75 per student, no sibling discount. Register Early!!!

CONFIRMATION NEWS Confirma on Registra on

Registra on for Confirma on Year 1 and Year 2 classes has begun.

Please stop by the Religious Educa on office

or the Church Rectory to pick up your registra on packet.

Registra ons are due August 27, 2017. First class for Year 1 begins

September 10, 2017. First class for Year 2 begins

September 17, 2017.

For more informa on please contact Cristy Hull or Mike Schmidt at (562) 420-7613

St.CorneliusYM@gmail.com

5 COMMUNITY NEWS 5

RESPECT LIFE NEWS & NOTES Rosary and Mass for Life…

will resume on Sunday, September 3rd.

Wanna See What We’ve Been Up To? Check out our new video called Life and Babies are Beau ful. You’ll find it on our home page at

AudioGirlMinistries.com

Ministries.com Circle of Life Scarf

Do you knit or crochet? Looking for a new project? How about making Circle of Life scarves?

Call AGM team member, and Circle of Life Scarf creator, Carolynne Famolaro for pa ern and

details…714-827-5039

Crisis Pregnancy If you, or a woman you know, is in a crisis

pregnancy and needs someone to talk to, call our pro-life partners at

Horizon Pregnancy Clinic: Call - 714.897.7500 or Text - 657.204.6057

Help is available!!

AudioGirlMinistries.com Like us on Facebook. Twi er @AudioGirlM

Sylvia Aimerito 562-429-1965

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL SOCIETY In the Gospel, we find that the de-mand of daily Chris an living is to spend our life primarily searching for the kingdom of God. Please help the poor and for-go en. Donate furniture, house-hold items and clothing. Call 1-800-974-3571 for free pick up.

HOURLY DRAWING BOOTH – FIESTA 2017 Summer Gree ngs! In prepara on for this year's upcoming Fiesta and due to the HUGE success of our Hourly drawing booth we kindly request your dona ons of Never Used Gi Cards (cards you’ve been holding on to but never used – check your purses and junk drawers) or gently used cash! We’ll use the cash to purchase Scrip gi cards which benefit our school two fold! You can send your dona ons of gi cards or cash for Scrip gi cards directly to the school office, or in a sepa-rate envelope marked “Hourly Drawing” deposited in the church basket. We thank you for your gen-erosity in suppor ng our school and the children – the future of our parish! Please contact Rose Letson (562-755-0862) with any ques ons

PEOPLE FOR OTHERS NEWS (PFO) People For Others will resume Mee ngs on Wednesday, October 11, 2017, and Luncheons on Friday, October 13, 2017. Save the date: On Thursday, November 9, 2017, PFO will be going to the Pechanga Resort and Casino. A one day trip.

7 COMMUNITY NEWS